1999 323i Tranny Problems

collierar · 08-09-2005, 02:51 PM

Just a question for anyone who might know. I have a 1999 323i (11/98 build date) with a 5 speed auto (5L40E). In the past few months it has been going into "limp" mode when getting on the freeway. I have taken it to a couple of shops and it throws a "5 gear pos" code and does make a weird sound when leaving a stop. The car does shift nice and runs great. I just cant believe that the tranny would go out in 120,000 miles.

Any help or feedback would help very much. Thanks Aaron

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Well, these cars have a few weak points in their design and construction:

1- Cooling systems
2- Transmissions (many were built by GM - General Motors)
3- Electrical wiring

120,000 is actually common to start having automatic transmission problems, although I think the earlier ones suffered most. Not sure if it will help, but you might want to check out some of the articles on your transmission here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/tech_main.htm

-Wayne

Steeve · 08-11-2005, 04:10 PM

Awww Wayne, are you telling me to get ready for transmission troubles??? I have 105K on my 323...

Not what I wanted to hear.

collierar · 08-11-2005, 06:56 PM

Thanks for the feed back, I am going to get the fluid and filter changed on Monday. I cant believe its not just something simple. I suppose I could buck up and take it to the dealer.

It is a GM, maybe I should hi-jack a Caddy

blkongry · 09:14 AM

Yeah, from everything I know about the auto trannies in our rides, they are a pretty good unit, but definitely have a finite life. Collierar, hopefully a good flush and filter change will clear things up for you... sometimes it's just a little sludge that is causing the problems, but more often than not, it's something starting to let go. If it is, you may be better off to replace it with a good running used tranny rather than trying to have yours rebuilt. The reason being is that, for one, it will be cheaper, but also you can take it somewhere other than the dealer, since it's just a swap. Plus, as long as you get a good running tranny, it won't have had anyone's "hands in it", so it should give you some long life. There is something about rebuilt auto trannies that never settle well with me... I just don't know if a shop can repair them and dial them in to the same level that the factory can.

But then again, you can just bypass this whole conversation and get a manual tranny like I have

collierar · 08-12-2005, 03:52 PM

Sometimes I wish it were a stick. It would be cheaper. I have shopped for both rebuilt and used and I will probably go with used for $1350 and about $350 in labor. I did find a rebuilt for $1000 but that sounds to cheap. Not fun but hey, what do you do.

Thanks for the feed back its great to get other opinions. I have one guys that still swears that its a computer problem and not a tranny problem. I will let you know how the fluid change goes.

collierar · 08-15-2005, 10:59 PM

Well, so far the fluid change seemed to work. it was pretty bad looking

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Cool deal, I assume you used the article here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Tranny_Fluid_Auto/E36-Tranny_Fluid_Auto.htm

Frankly, if I had the choice, I would avoid used transmissions, as they will eventually fail as well. AAMCO has a lifetime warranty option that is sometimes a good deal...

-Wayne